JP2013520869A - Enhanced electronic program guide - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of a system for providing an enhanced content guide includes receiving electronic program guide data, analyzing the received electronic program guide data, identifying a program listed in the electronic program guide, and at least for the identified program A controller for identifying data corresponding to one program description attribute is included. At least one external source of content information is retrieved using at least one program description attribute using the Internet interface for information related to the identified program. The user interface generator generates an enhanced content guide user interface that includes information related to the program identified for display on the display device in response to the selection of the program identified in the electronic program guide.

Description

(Cross-reference of related applications)
This application claims the benefit of priority of US Provisional Application No. 61 / 306,204, filed February 19, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Shall.

  The arrangement provides a system and method that automatically retrieves and retrieves information from at least one source associated with content selected by a user.

  Conventionally, subscribers to cable television or satellite broadcast providers access content using a set-top box connected to a display device. When selecting content to be accessed at a given time, the user uses an electronic program guide (EPG) that is displayed on the screen in response to the generation of the user's control signal using the remote control. Can be used. An EPG is typically a user interface formatted in a table that presents a list of channels and information about programs during a given time period of those channels. The guide information displayed on the EPG user interface is negligible due to the limited screen size of the display device. Therefore, the guide can only display limited information about each program. For example, current EPGs only list program names, start and end times, brief descriptions, cast lists, and perhaps ratings (like the TV program guide TV-PG).

  However, consumers now have access to a vast library of content information that provides further insight into the content available from content providers. A drawback associated with accessing the vast amount of content that can be obtained is that it is cumbersome for consumers / users to classify and search information describing the content and aggregate it in a meaningful way. It can be work. Typically, a user must be proactively running a web browser application on a personal computer, for example, to access a search engine and enter a query for information about the content currently being accessed. . These search results include links to multiple locations that contain content information, and the user must navigate to another location to obtain the information. Therefore, to provide users with data representing an enhanced program guide, it is necessary to simplify the process of providing content information to consumers in a single display image.

  In one embodiment, a method for providing an enhanced content guide is described. The controller receives the electronic program guide data, analyzes the received electronic program guide data, identifies the program described in the electronic program guide, and corresponds to at least one program description attribute for the identified program Identify the data to be used. At least one external source of content information is retrieved using the at least one program description attribute via the Internet interface for information related to the identified program. The user interface generator generates an enhanced content guide user interface that includes information related to the identified program for display on the display device in response to the selection of the identified program in the electronic program guide.

  In a further embodiment, a system for providing enhanced content is described. The receiver receives electronic program guide data and electronic program guide data. The internet interface provides communication with at least one external source of content information. The attribute processor analyzes the received electronic program guide data to identify programs described in the electronic program guide and to identify data corresponding to at least one program description attribute for the identified program. The content processor retrieves at least one external source of content information for information related to the identified program using at least one program description attribute via the Internet interface. The user interface display processor generates an enhanced content guide user interface that includes information related to the identified program for display on the display device in response to the selection of the identified program in the electronic program guide.

  The acquisition and use of enhanced program information from various sources available through the Internet and other sources helps to improve set-top box program guides.

  The above presents a simplified summary of the subject matter in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of the subject matter. This summary is not intended to identify key / critical elements of the embodiments nor is it intended to delineate the scope of the present subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the subject matter in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

  To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the embodiments are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. However, while these aspects are presented, they are but one example of various ways in which the principles of the present subject matter can be used, and the present subject matter is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Yes. Other advantages and novel features of the present subject matter will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components of a system in accordance with an aspect of an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart detailing an operation of one aspect of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components according to one aspect of an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart detailing an operation of one aspect of the embodiment.

  The present subject matter is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present subject matter. It may be evident, however, that embodiments of the present subject matter can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the embodiments.

  As used in this application, the term “component” is intended to refer to hardware or a combination of running hardware and software. For example, without limitation, a component may be a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file running on a processor, and / or a microchip. By way of illustration, both a processor and an application running on the processor can be a component. One or more components can exist within a process, and one component can be localized on one system and / or distributed between two or more systems. As shown in the drawings, the functions of the various components are not only provided through the use of dedicated hardware, but may also be provided through hardware capable of executing software in conjunction with appropriate software.

  If provided by a processor, the functionality may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by multiple individual processors, some of which may be shared. Also, the explicit use of the term “processor” or “controller” should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, but is not limited to digital signal processors (DSP) hardware, read only memory (ROM) storing software, random access memory (RAM), and non-volatile storage may be implicitly included. Also, all statements herein reciting examples and embodiments of the invention are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents. In addition, such equivalents include not only currently known equivalents, but also equivalents that will be developed in the future (ie, all elements that are developed to perform the same function regardless of structure). It is intended to include.

  Note that all hyperlinks used herein are used for illustrative purposes only. These hyperlinks may or may not be active and may or may not contain data. Any data stored at a location corresponding to any hyperlink is not required for an understanding of the present invention.

  Content providers provide multiple users access to different types of content. For example, cable / satellite providers typically lend consumers set-top boxes that act as portals or gateways for the delivery of different types of content. Devices that selectively provide access to content advantageously access content guide data that can be decoded and displayed to a user on a display device. The content guide data includes a list of at least one channel to which the content can be accessed and information associated with the content on the at least one channel. One example is electronic program guide data, which is delivered directly from the cable provider over the same channel as the broadcast data, or through an additional Internet service that compiles and provides content guide data. Content guide data typically includes minimal information describing a program on a particular channel at a particular time due to bandwidth limitations and the number of many programs that require data.

  However, a lot of information can be obtained from a variety of other sources, and if used, an extensive content program guide containing much more information than is currently available with conventional program guides. Can be used for production. The system is advantageous in that it retrieves and retrieves relevant content information from multiple different external sources for use in generating a user interface display image that provides enhanced content program guides to the user. Related content information can be retrieved and acquired prior to the time at which the electronic program guide is to be displayed. The system advantageously identifies attributes associated with individual programs that provide a particular type of information about the program and adds the identified attributes to the database. The identified attribute can be used as a seed term for a search algorithm that automatically searches a location on a communication network for information related to the program. These search results are automatically formatted in the user interface and presented to the user on at least one of the first display device or the second display device. In this way, the enhanced content guide can be displayed to the user as an alternative to the conventional electronic program guide data that is the source of the search. For example, in response to a control signal from a user requesting program guide data, the system can display the enhanced content guide on at least one of the first display device or the second display device.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system that includes a set top box 102, which includes a tuner module that selectively tunes input signals from, for example, cable / satellite providers. It is a set top box. The set top box 102 further parses the received program data including program guide data and adds attributes associated with each obtainable individual program to be tuned by the tuner module to a database running on the set top box 102. It includes a processor (FIG. 3). In an alternative embodiment, the database may be located outside the set top box 102, such as a separate disk drive or cloud database storage location. The structure of the database can have various tables that represent specific time periods of the day. In that individual table, attributes may be provided in columns, or programs for a certain period of time may be provided in a row. Examples of a set of attributes for each program in a particular undersecretary period added by the system include, but are not limited to:・ Title ・ Subtitle ・ Description ・ Overview (generally means long explanation)
・ Cast (actor, moderator, director, narrator, producer)
・ Image (screen shot, poster, box art, thumbnail)
・ Genre / Category ・ Evaluation and notes (for example, PG-13)
-Review and star rating-Other episodes of the same program-Online sources of information (programs / episodes at Hulu, Fancast, Netflix, etc.)
-Related movies and programs-First broadcast date-Series data, and-Data describing the topic / situation shown in the program

The system can obtain these and other attributes from, but not limited to, the following different sources:
-Electronic program guide provider (schedules direct, etc.)
Set-top box (STB may have obtained information from content provider, by querying its STB)
• Cable TV / satellite broadcast / FIOS input • Search based on preferred content providers (eg giving Disney a special importance for asking Disney for Disney content and Comcast for Comcast content)
Internet search: Google, Bing, Wikipedia, and other public search APIs. These may be crawled independently.
・ DVR / PVR
・ Media content on user's home network

  In the system embodiment 100 of FIG. 1, the set-top box 102 is connected to a first display device 104, eg, a high-definition television monitor, and the content corresponds to the signal tuned by the tuner module in the set-top box 102. Is selectively displayed. The set top box 102 is described as an access point that allows selection and viewing of content, but uses any device that includes at least one tuner module that allows selection of content as primary content. Note that the system can then be implemented. Alternatively, the system can be implemented by any device that allows any part of the content to be selected and provided to the user in any way. A second display device 112 may be provided for display of enhanced content guides generated by the system. The second display device 112 has access to at least one of a local area network and a wide area network, and can be any computer that can access and receive data representing enhanced content for display from the set top box 102. It can be used as a storage device. The second display device 112 includes, but is not limited to, a computer, laptop, netbook, tablet computer, mobile phone, smartphone, or a second monitor that is different from the first display device 104.

  The set top box 102 provides an electronic program guide to the set top box 102 (or the first display device 104) in a manner known by the user 106 or other device (eg, VCR, DVR, another tuner, etc.). The user interface can be controlled using a remote control (not shown) that displays on the first display device 104. Program guide data includes information describing a plurality of obtainable programs to be tuned at a given time. In creating an enhanced program guide for display on the second display device 112, the system analyzes the program guide data and other data that identifies and / or describes the program content to obtain attributes and enhance Add to the program guide database. The system can automatically analyze EPG and other data, adding the enhanced content guide database in advance, prior to reception and prior to the current time frame. For example, the system can analyze the EPG data the previous night to ensure the performance of the set top box, and when the user is actually watching the program content on the first display device 104, the display of the data is There is no hindrance. In another embodiment, when the user selects a particular program in the displayed EPG, the attributes are obtained by analyzing the EPG data. In response to a control signal received from the user, the system selects a program from the EPG to display data associated with the program. This selection does not necessarily mean that the program is tuned by the tuner module, so that the data in the EPG is highlighted or otherwise displayed to the user on the first display device. It is important to note that it is not meant to be designated as active.

  Thus, the selection of a program within the EPG serves as a program identifier that identifies the individual program for which enhanced EPG data is requested and displayed. The system uses the program identifier to obtain attribute data for the selected program for use in searching multiple external data sources for related content included as part of the enhanced EPG data. The set top box 102 further includes a user interface (UI) display processor (shown in FIG. 3) for selectively displaying a user interface including enhanced EPG data on the second display device 112. In one embodiment, the enhanced EPG data is simultaneously displayed on the second display device 112 along with the user interface of the first display device displaying conventional EPG data. Also, in response to receiving a control signal that changes the selection of the current program (ie, scrolling through the guide), the system uses the enhanced EPG data corresponding to the newly selected program on the second display device 112. Update the user interface automatically. This is advantageous in that it provides the user with the most information at any given point in time for a particular selected program to help decide whether to tune that program.

  The following is an exemplary description of how the enhanced EPG is displayed on the second display device 112. The following includes a description of the television program and the content associated with the television program. However, the system tunes any television program stored live or on a storage medium to obtain a set of related enhanced content to be included as part of the enhanced EPG for display on the second display device 112. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they can operate as such.

  In this exemplary embodiment, user 106 can generate a control signal requesting a channel change. The set top box 102 queries the electronic service guide from the electronic service guide source 108 to obtain descriptive information associated with the tuned program. The descriptive information is used by the related content search module executed on the set top box 102 to search the information provider 110 for content related to the tuned program. In response to obtaining the relevant information, the relevant information is used as an input to retrieve a set of content providers 111 to obtain content associated with the information about the tuned program. Acquiring relevant content causes the set-top box 102 to display data representing the relevant content on the second display device 112, for example as a web page that allows the user to selectively access the relevant content. .

  FIG. 2 is a flow diagram detailing exemplary operation of the system described in FIG. 1 using reference numerals. This embodiment describes a mechanism for acquiring data and forming part of the enhanced EPG data. In one embodiment, the processes / steps described herein are performed prior to receiving a control signal that identifies a program as a selected program, thereby obtaining related content information and related content information. The time required to generate a UI including In another embodiment, the processes / steps described herein are performed in response to receiving a control signal that selects content from among the EPGs on the first display device.

  At step 200, the EPG data is analyzed to identify a unique set of programs that are available for tuning over a given time period. In step 202, a program identifier is assigned to each unique program identified. In step 204, a unique set of program identifiers is added to the enhanced EPG database that allows for the creation of a record that can add attribute data describing the program. In step 206, the system further analyzes the EPG data 108 using the predetermined set of attributes contained in the enhanced EPG database to identify data corresponding to individual attributes within the predetermined set of attributes. The attribute data is automatically used to add fields in the enhanced EPG database. The enhanced EPG database can be stored externally within a system hosting a related content search module (eg, a set top box, etc.) or by a cable provider web service or the like. In addition, some sources of content information require a very slow response time of about 1 second or more per query, thereby efficiently executing queries associated with a small number of programs. There are different ways to reduce the access time when a user needs this information. One way is to query the data in advance, such as the day before the current program, and store the data, for example in a database, for later use. Enhancement information can be added to this database on a regular basis, such as once a day, and program guides can then access this database when access to external data sources is not possible or restricted in some manner. Just do it. This database can be published as a web service or network API. Databases can be placed in the home with set-top boxes and / or gateways so that multiple devices can access data locally and / or placed in the cloud as a service that provides information to multiple consumers it can.

  In step 208, the related content search module running on the content processor (FIG. 3) uses the data in the attribute data field of the enhanced EPG database as a seed term and is associated with each program available for tuning. Query the source to identify related content information. A seed term is any descriptive data in any attribute data field that describes a program available for tuning by the set top box 102.

  In step 210, the related content search module uses a plurality of different search algorithms and processes to search the source of related content information 110 used to create the enhanced EPG. For example, a technique for obtaining data corresponding to an attribute may require a unique query / response interface. Furthermore, each source does not supply data corresponding to each attribute in the set of attributes for each available program. In order to provide the user with an almost complete set of data corresponding to the attributes of the set of attributes, the set top box 102 may prioritize information sources to ensure search efficiency. For example, a first source (eg, Wikipedia) is considered to contain information corresponding to most attributes, and a second source (eg, Internet Movie Database: Internet Movie Database-www.imdb.com) is a second source. It can be considered to contain most information. In step 210, the system automatically retrieves information from the first source, and if the value of the event attribute data field is empty, the second for the data corresponding to the missing attribute. Query the source. Thus, the system automatically starts searching the first list of sources, and whenever the attributes cannot be obtained from one source on the list, the system falls back to the next source.

  In another embodiment, one attribute in the set of attributes can identify or describe the type of program. If the “program type” attribute field has a value stored in the field, in step 210 the system uses the value of the “program type” field to select the source to query. This is particularly advantageous because not all content information sources allow unrestricted access to their data during a particular time frame. For example, NETFLEX (trademark) has not only information on movies and dramas but also information on television programs, news and sports programs. A basic program guide typically provides enough information to know the type of program before performing a query. In this way, queries to NETFLEX ™ can be limited when appropriate.

  Examples of information providers include, but are not limited to, Wikipedia, IMDB or any other source that contains information about audiovisual program data. In this example, the related content search module automatically searches Wikipedia for the program's root article (s). The related content search module may have its own search mechanism and algorithm, or may use a third party search web service provided by Google or other Internet search providers. When an article corresponding to a TV program Bones is found, this content is identified as enhancement-related content, and the resulting article is a specific data format (eg, HTML / XHTML) to be rendered for display to the end user. Or Wikitext markup language.

  The related content search module then analyzes the data representing the search results at step 212. Such analysis can occur using natural text analysis techniques or by utilizing standard Wikipedia formats and applying the analysis to links within Wikipedia content. The results of the analysis by the related content search module are categorized and organized for use in generating a user interface display image representing the enhanced electronic program guide. The search results can include a plurality of user-selectable image elements (eg, links, icons, etc.) for content identified as relevant to the program. This search algorithm is automatically repeated for each piece of relevant content and selectively stored locally or on a remote storage device accessible via a network that can be used to generate enhanced electronic program guides A more detailed and robust set of related content information that can be developed and created.

  In step 212, the related content search module automatically searches the content provider 111 for items that may have been revealed in the search step 210. The set of content providers includes (a) local user content (eg, on a home media server via UPnP on a local area network), (b) user subscription services (eg, cable “on-demand” content, Netflix (Trademark) InstantWatch content, etc.) and (c) openly accessible Internet services (eg, Hulu, Fancast, TV network sites, etc.). For example, the system can identify program data that includes an interview with an executive producer of a program that helps explain the program. The system can obtain a link to this data for inclusion as part of the enhanced program guide on the second display. In another example, search actors and image retrievals of programs may be incorporated into enhanced program guide data, for example, by direct download of image files or by data where the images can be downloaded when presented to the user. it can.

  The related content search module automatically searches for sources that can provide related content information to the user. The location information associated with the search results in step 210 is stored in memory in the set top box in step 214. Alternatively, the information can be stored in memory in a cloud computing environment. The location information identifies the location of the related content. The location information includes (a) a universal resource locator (URL) that points to an episode on Fancast, (b) a URL that points to a set-top box provided with a web service that enables on-demand content playback by clicking (c) ) Either a URL that points to a local network share path where episodes can be stored and streamed, and (d) any other identifier that allows the user to access related content. As used herein, the term “link” can be used to describe the above information, regardless of whether the content is web-based. As will be described later, the link including the position information can be presented to the user on the second display via the set top box 112.

  In step 216, the related content search module provides data representing search results having links to related content to a UI display processor running on the set top box 102 (FIG. 3). The UI display may be in the form of a web browser running on the second display device 112 pointed at a web server running on the set top box 102. The UI display processor (FIG. 3) generates a display image that includes all relevant content associated with the program, at least at user 1 and in step 218, according to the enhanced program guide format specified by the content provider.

  In another embodiment, the enhanced content guide may be displayed in response to receiving a control signal generated by the user, including a request for EPG data (eg, pressing a “guide” button on the remote control). is there. In this embodiment, the system automatically queries and obtains from the database data representing enhanced content information associated with the channel range during a particular time period. The acquired enhanced content information may be provided to a UI display processor (FIG. 3) that generates a display image including the enhanced content information for display on at least one of the first display device and the second display device. it can. The system can automatically repeat this operation in response to navigation signals received from the user. Thus, as the user scrolls through enhanced program guide information on at least one of the first display device and the second display device, the system can automatically update and use the displayed enhanced content guide. Reflect the channel and program range.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary controller 300 that implements the system described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. The controller 300 may be a hardware component embodied in the set top box 102 as shown in FIG. The controller 300 includes a tuner 310 that selectively receives and tunes the input signal 312. The input signal is specified in a format called Motion Pictures Expert Group (MPEG), or in a specific format as defined by any other signal format used to encode and transmit audiovisual data and auxiliary data associated with the audiovisual data. It may be a television broadcast signal formatted in a signal format. Tuner 310 decodes any auxiliary data associated with the tuned input signal 312 and stores the decoded data in memory 320. Ancillary data may include electronic program guide (EPG) data or other data transmitted by encoding input signal 312. The first display device 305 is connected to the tuner 310 for displaying at least one of the tuned input signal and auxiliary data including EPG data included in the input signal.

  The memory 320 includes a data structure such as a database that includes a set of attributes used in describing program content. The attribute set can be pre-defined by the content provider (cable / satellite provider) and can correspond to the content characteristics transmitted with the input signal describing the various programs that can be tuned by the tuner 310. The data structure in memory 320 allows each unique program listed in the auxiliary data to be correlated with a plurality of associated attributes derived from the auxiliary data. In an alternative embodiment, the database functionality for the EPG functionality can be located outside of the controller 300. Each external database (not shown) can be connected to the content processor 325 via a suitable interface, such as a disk drive interface for an external drive or a web interface for a cloud-based database.

  The controller 300 further includes an attribute processor 315 connected to both the tuner 310 and the memory 320. The attribute processor 315 automatically analyzes the auxiliary data to identify a unique set of programs that are tunable and listed in the auxiliary data. A unique program identifier is assigned to each unique program and provided in a data structure in memory 320, thereby allowing collection of an individual set of data associated with each unique program. The attribute processor 315 automatically analyzes the received auxiliary data to identify information describing the program and corresponding to at least one attribute of the set of attributes. A data value representing attribute information obtained from the auxiliary data is added to the data structure in the memory 320. The attribute processor 315 links the attribute data to the program using a unique program identifier. The parsing and addition performed by the attribute processor 315 can occur before the time frame in which the auxiliary data is actually displayed to the user. For example, if the auxiliary data is electronic program guide data for a particular day, analysis and addition of the data structure in memory 320 may occur at a predetermined time prior to that particular day. Alternatively, analysis and addition may occur in response to receiving a selection signal from the user.

  In another embodiment, the system may automatically take into account user settings and past user behavior data for use as input to search for relevant content. The system can automatically track user behavior including user navigation and content selection data that can be stored in memory 320. The system can further access user settings and navigation data to identify other potential types of content sources and related content information displayed to the user on the second display device. By taking into account user settings and behavior, the attribute processor can automatically update the set of attributes in the data structure stored in memory 320, whereby additional attribute data is collected and associated content information It can be used for searching. For example, a user-specified attribute can allow the priority of related content sources from which the system is searched to be set.

  The content processor 325 is connected to the tuner 310, the attribute processor 315, the user interface (UI) display processor 340 and the memory 320. The content processor 325 queries the data structure in the memory 320 to obtain attribute data that can be used to search for additional content for the related content information and the source where the related content is stored. The attribute data can be used as a search term in a search algorithm to find information about each individual program assigned a unique program identifier. Content processor 325 initiates a search across at least one of the local and wide area networks for information about the program. The content information search algorithm executed by the content processor 325 requires an internet interface 330 connected to the content processor 325 to initiate a search of the external data source 335. Data representing search results can be obtained by the content processor 325 and stored in the memory 320. Search result data can be stored in a data structure separate from attribute data, but can be linked via a unique program identifier so that relevant data can be searched quickly and easily when needed . The content processor 325 analyzes the retrieved related content information stored in the memory 320 and organizes a set of related content that can be used to generate an enhanced electronic program guide that is displayed to the user.

  The content processor 325 also automatically initiates a related content search algorithm that analyzes the search result data in the memory, and for at least one source file of content corresponding to any data item described in the search result data. Search external data source 335. As used herein, external data source 335 is a general term used to refer to any data source for any purpose. For example, the external data source 335 may be a source of content information (ie Wikipedia or IMDB.com) or a content provider (ie Netflix ™, Fancast.com). When searching for content, the content processor 325 obtains a result including the location of related content and content information. The content processor 325 automatically generates user-selectable links for any item from which location information for a particular portion of content is obtained.

  Content processor 325 provides data representing related content associated with a unique program identifier for a particular program to user interface (UI) display processor 340. The UI display processor 340 automatically formats the related content according to a predetermined content guide format and causes the related content to be displayed on a different second display device 345 that is separate from the first display device 305. The UI display processor 340 is responsive to control signals generated by the user. The control signal may include content guide navigation instructions that allow the UI display processor 340 to display electronic guide data on the first display device and allow the user to view available tuned programs. In response to this control signal, the content processor 325 automatically identifies the program selected by the user on the first display device and uses the unique program identifier to identify all of the programs associated with the selected program. Related content information is acquired from the memory 320. The content processor 325 provides the acquired related content information to a UI display processor 340 that automatically formats the related content according to an enhanced EPG data format for display on the second device 345. Thus, the system advantageously allows the user interface on the second display device 345 to be displayed with appropriate enhanced EPG data at substantially the same time as the system scrolls the conventional EPG displayed on the first display device. Update automatically.

  In one embodiment, the UI display processor can provide a formatted user interface to the Internet interface 330, which functions as a web server, and a browser running on the second device 345 is Allows you to point to a hosted user interface that allows user access. When presented to the second device 345, the user can browse and navigate data items on the list to view and / or select related content of interest.

  In one embodiment, the system described in FIG. 3 automatically performs a content information search and a content provider search for all programs identified in the EPG data stored in memory 420 upon receipt of the EPG. Automatic search advantageously allows the system to add relevant content information to the database at predetermined intervals when network / browsing activity is reduced. The system may then initiate and execute the above search algorithm with the data in the database when the user selects the first content, thereby providing the user with a set of enhanced related content. Time can be reduced.

  In other embodiments, the system may be embodied in a server that serves a set of users. In this embodiment, the server executes the above search algorithm to create a database and provides the user with access to the database to perform a complete search of all possible content information and content provider sources. Reduce the bandwidth and processing power required to perform. In response to the selection of the first content, the set top box can automatically run an application that initiates a search for content information and content providers in the server's database for related content and enhancements Reduce the amount of processing power, bandwidth and time required to provide users with a set of content information.

  In the above description of identifying and acquiring related content, a television broadcast program has been described, but those skilled in the art can apply the principles of the present system to any type of content available to the user. In an alternative embodiment, the system can effectively tune the music station so that the user can listen to the radio program. In this embodiment, the system identifies content by analyzing radio program guide information to retrieve related content and searches for content information sources other than Wikipedia, Google, and Fancast as described above. be able to. The system would then search for content provider sources specific to the first content type that the user is accessing, such as an Internet radio broadcast site, iTunes Store, etc. The technology also applies to scenarios beyond television, such as music playback, subscriber services such as Rhapsody, or related music locations in the user's music library for purchase sites such as Amazon's MP3.

  FIG. 4 is an exemplary algorithm implemented by the system described above with respect to FIGS. The system advantageously provides an enhanced content guide using a controller having an internet interface. In step 400, the controller receives electronic program guide data. In step 402, the received electronic program guide data is analyzed to identify programs described in the electronic program guide and to identify data corresponding to at least one program description attribute of the identified program. In step 404, at least one external source of content information is retrieved using at least one program description attribute using an Internet interface of information associated with the identified program. In step 406, the user interface display processor generates an enhanced content guide user interface that includes information related to the identified program for display on the display device in response to the selection of the program identified in the electronic program guide. In one embodiment, steps 400 through 406 are repeated for each program listed in the electronic program guide.

  In step 408, received electronic program guide data indicating that the identified program has been selected is displayed on the first display device, and the generated enhanced content guide is different from the first display. Is displayed. The execution of the display described in step 408 occurs substantially simultaneously, thereby enabling user scrolling through the electronic program guide, highlighting the program, and enhancements corresponding to the program selected in the conventional electronic program guide. The content guide user interface can be viewed.

  The implementations described herein can be implemented, for example, in a method or process, apparatus, or combination of hardware and software. Although discussed only in the context of a single form of implementation (eg, discussed only as a method), implementations of the described functionality may also be implemented in other forms (eg, hardware devices, hardware and software devices, or (Computer readable medium). For example, the device can be implemented with suitable hardware, software, and firmware. The method can be implemented in a device such as a processor, which refers to any processing device including, for example, a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a programmable logic device. Processing devices also include communication devices such as computers, cell phones, personal / portable digital assistants (“PDAs”), and other devices that facilitate communication of information with end users.

  In addition, the method may be implemented by instructions executed by a processor, such as an integrated circuit, software carrier or other storage device such as a hard disk, compact disk, random access memory (RAM). Can be stored on a processor or computer readable medium, such as a read only memory (ROM), or any other optical, magnetic, or solid medium. The instructions may form an application program that is clearly embodied on a computer-readable medium, such as any of the media described above. As will be appreciated, the processor may include instructions for performing the process, eg, as part of a processor unit, having a computer readable medium. When the instructions corresponding to the method of the present invention are executed, the general-purpose computer can be converted into a specific machine executing the method of the present invention.

  What has been described above includes examples of the embodiments. Of course, it is not possible to describe every possible combination of components or methods to describe the embodiments, but those skilled in the art will recognize that more combinations and permutations of the embodiments are possible. can do. Accordingly, the subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Further, to the extent that the term “comprising” is used in the detailed description or claims, the term “comprising” is intended to be interpreted when such term “comprising” is used as a transitional word in a claim. It is intended to be as broad as

Claims (13)

A method for providing an enhanced content guide, said method being performed by an internet interface and a controller,
a) receiving electronic program guide data by the controller;
b) analyzing the received electronic program guide data to identify programs listed in the electronic program guide and identifying data corresponding to at least one program description attribute of the identified program;
c) using the internet interface to retrieve at least one external source of content information using the at least one program description attribute for information associated with the identified program;
d) A user interface generator generates an enhanced content guide user interface that includes the information related to the identified program for display on a display device in response to the selection of the identified program in the electronic program guide. Steps,
Said method.   The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically repeating the steps b to d for each program in the electronic program guide. Displaying the received electronic program guide data indicating that the identified program is selected on a first display device;
Displaying the generated enhanced content guide on a second display device different from the first display device;
The method of claim 1, further comprising:   The method of claim 3, wherein displaying the received electronic program guide data and displaying the generated enhanced content guide are performed substantially simultaneously. Scrolling through the controller a list of programs listed in the electronic program guide data;
Automatically generating and displaying an enhanced content user interface for each subsequent program highlighted during the scrolling;
The method of claim 1, further comprising:   Storing information related to the identified program corresponding to the at least one program description attribute in a memory, wherein the identified program is linked to the related information in the memory. Item 2. The method according to Item 1. Analyzing the stored related information to identify content related to the identified program;
Automatically searching a plurality of external data sources using the Internet interface for content identified during the analysis;
Obtaining relevant content for inclusion in the enhanced content guide user interface;
The method of claim 6, further comprising: A system for providing enhanced content,
A receiver for receiving electronic program guide data;
An internet interface providing communication to at least one external source of content information;
An attribute processor that parses the received electronic program guide data to identify programs described in the electronic program guide and identify data corresponding to at least one program description attribute for the identified program;
A content processor that uses the Internet interface to retrieve at least one external source of content information using the at least one program description attribute for information related to the identified program;
A user interface generator for generating an enhanced content guide user interface that includes information related to the identified program for display on a display device in response to selection of the identified program in the electronic program guide;
The system comprising: The user interface display generator is
Displaying the received electronic program guide data indicating that the identified program is selected on a first display device;
The system of claim 1, wherein the generated enhanced content guide is displayed on a second display device that is different from the first display device.   The system of claim 9, wherein the electronic program guide data and the enhanced content guide are displayed substantially simultaneously.   In response to scrolling through the list of programs listed in the electronic program guide data, the user interface generator automatically generates an enhanced content user interface for each subsequent program highlighted during scrolling The system according to claim 8, wherein the system is displayed.   9. The memory of claim 8, further comprising a memory storing information associated with the identified program corresponding to the at least one program description attribute, wherein a data structure links the identified program to the associated information. The described system. The content processor is
Analyzing the stored related information to identify content related to the identified program;
Automatically searching a plurality of external data sources using the Internet interface for the identified content;
The method of claim 12, wherein relevant content is obtained for inclusion in the enhanced content guide user interface.

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